Academic Distress - Schools where the percentage of students who are proficient or advanced in math and literacy combined over the last 3-years is 49.5% or lower.

Priority Schools - The bottom 5% of all schools in the state based on combined math and literacy scores over the most recent three years of data (2012, 2013, 2014). The ranking of the state's schools to identify the bottom 5% was done in 2012 and again in 2015.

Focus Schools - The 10% of schools in the state that have the largest achievement gap between the Targeted Achievement Gap Group (TAGG) and other students (Non-TAGG) over the most recent three years of data (2012, 2013, 2014). TAGG students are either economically disadvantaged, English language learners, or students with disabilities. The ranking of the state's schools to identify those with the largest gap was done in 2012 and again in 2015.

Needs Improvement School - A school that failed to meet all of the annual measurable objectives (AMOs) set for it by the state for two consecutive years. AMOs are set for math, literacy, percent tested and graduation rate (high schools only)

Achieving School - A school that met all of the annual measurable objectives (AMOs) set for it by the state for two consecutive years. AMOs are set in math, literacy, percent tested and graduation rate (high schools)